Toronto Maple Leafs great and Hockey Hall of Famer George Armstrong has died at the age of 90, the team said Sunday.
Armstrong played his entire 21-year NHL career for the Leafs from 1949-71, helping the team win Stanley Cup titles in 1961-62, 1962-63, 1963-64 and 1966-67. His 1,188 career games played remain a Leafs record.
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The right winger finished his career with 296 goals and 417 assists.
Armstrong was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1975. The Leafs retired his No. 10 in 2016.
“Armstrong had a passion for the game that was equaled only by his enthusiasm for interacting with fans across his city and province,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “Our game will miss him dearly. The NHL extends its deepest sympathies to George’s wife Betty, their children, grandchildren and the entire Armstrong family.”
Who is Armstrong?
Joshua Kloke, Maple Leafs writer: When the Maple Leafs named their greatest 100 players in franchise history in 2016 as part of their centennial celebrations, Armstrong ranked No. 12 on the list, and with good reason. He was one of the first professional hockey players of Indigenous descent. He first signed with the Leafs in 1946 and spent time in a variety of roles, including as a player, coach, assistant general manager and scout.
As a player, the forward spent his entire career with the Leafs organization. He won four Stanley Cups and captained the team for 12 years.
What made him great?
Kloke: Former Leafs owner Conn Smythe once called Armstrong "the best captain, as a captain, the Leafs have ever had." His consistency both in his hard-nosed play and in his production was an important part of the Leafs' four Stanley Cup wins. In each of those four years, he was among the team's top three playoff scorers.
"A proud yet humble man, he loved being a Maple Leaf but never sought the spotlight even though no player played more games for Toronto or captained the team longer," Leafs president Brendan Shanahan said.
What is his legacy?
Jonas Siegel, Maple Leafs writer: As the years, and then decades, went by without a Stanley Cup, Armstrong’s legacy as the last captain of a championship team only grew stronger. Known as "The Chief," Armstrong was a towering, physical embodiment of the team’s long-ago championship history. He’ll be forever remembered as one of the greatest players, and leaders, in franchise history.
(Photo: Abelimages / Getty Images)
The Maple Leafs’ statement:
The Toronto Maple Leafs mourn the passing of George Armstrong, a member of our Maple Leafs family for 75 years.
We extend our condolences to George’s wife Betty, their children, grandchildren and the entire Armstrong family.
Full Statement: https://t.co/xCNHNn1Zcg pic.twitter.com/F9e9M0ZfSk
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 24, 2021